City/County Digest

CITY/COUNTY DIGEST

February 28, 2003|By FROM STAFF REPORTS

TOWSON — In Baltimore County

Judge rules in favor of MdTA police in claim of illegal search

TOWSON - A Baltimore County Circuit Court judge ended a multiyear legal battle yesterday between four Fort McHenry Tunnel maintenance workers and the Maryland Transportation Authority police sergeant they claimed had humiliated them when she searched them, their lockers and their cars for drugs.

Judge Lawrence R. Daniels said he sympathized with the workers, who sued Sgt. Brenda Nooft and the co-worker who had prompted the search by alleging the men spiked his drinks and smoked marijuana on the job. But Daniels ruled in Nooft's favor - the suit against the co-worker was dismissed - saying not enough evidence existed to prove constitutional violations.

No drugs were found on any of the workers.

County taking applications for community grants

TOWSON - Baltimore County will accept applications through March 28 for the 2003-2004 Community Conservation Action Grant program.

Grants are available to incorporated community association and nonprofit groups and can be used to pay for physical improvement projects that benefit the community. Projects must be within the county's Community Conservation Action Areas, as designated in the 2010 master plan.

Grants can be as much as $10,000 and require a 25 percent match in cash, donations or volunteer labor. Applications are available at www.baltimore countyonline.info or by calling 410-887-5969.

Police TV program focuses on domestic violence

TOWSON - The current edition of "Police Report," the Baltimore County Police Department's cable TV program, focuses on domestic violence.

The five-minute discussion at the start of the program features Officer Misty Johnson, domestic violence coordinator in the White Marsh Precinct. A second segment focuses on the Hillendale and Pikesville substations.

The program's final segment looks at neighborhood crime trends and asks for help in identifying crime suspects. "Police Report" airs four times a week on Comcast Channel 25: 8:30 p.m. Monday; 7 p.m. Tuesday; and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Friday.

Nursing home volunteers needed as ombudsmen

TOWSON - The Baltimore County Department of Aging is seeking nursing home volunteer ombudsmen to help residents advocate for themselves, and to serve as a voice for those unable to speak out.

Volunteers must be at least age 21, able to visit a nursing home two to four hours a week and willing to make a six-month commitment.

Training sessions are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 10, 12 and 19, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at Ateaze Senior Center, 7401 Holabird Ave. in Dundalk. Attendance at all four sessions is required. Information: 410-887- 4200.

In Baltimore City

Volunteers to prepare, ship meals to shelters

About 50 volunteers from the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors will prepare an annual "Thanksgiving in February" meal today at Western High School.

The volunteers will package and ship 1,600 meals of ham, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, string beans, rolls and pies to shelters in Baltimore to be served tomorrow.

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. are scheduled to help prepare the meal, which has been offered annually for three decades.

City schools chief honored as urban reform leader

Baltimore schools chief Carmen V. Russo has been recognized by the Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform as one of the nation's top urban school reform leaders.

She was selected last week to be part of the group's first "Dream Team" of people or organizations whose work for educational excellence in urban public schools is exemplary.

Russo, chief executive officer of city schools for 2 1/2 years, was credited with transforming low-performing high schools into smaller learning communities and other innovative initiatives, as well as raising test scores.